Pocketed ball game



May 17, 1949. T, B sTlLLMAN. I 214701325 PocK-ETED BALL GAME Filed Jan.16, 194e 4 sheets-sheet' 1 INVENTOR ATTORNEY May 17, 1949- 1'. B.sTlLLMN 2,470,325

` PocKETEn BALL GAME IVENTOR ATTORNEY May 17, 1949. T. B. sTlLLMAN2,470,325

POCKETED BALL GAME INVENTOR ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet T. B. sTlLLMANPOCKETED BALL GAME May- 17, 1949.

Filed Jan. 16, 1946 INVENTOR 77/50 am? 5r/aww BY l m ATTORNEY 34 ,fsa

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Patente-d May 17, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE POCKETED BALL GAMETheodore B. Stlhnan, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application January 16, 1946, Serial No. 641,526

2 Claims. l

This invention relates to amusement apparatus in general, and moreparticularly to an improved game apparatus characterized by a pluralityof pockets to intercept a missile such as a ball or the like.

Among the objects of the present invention, it is aimed to provide animproved game apparatus, including an indicator board having a pluralityof counting signals, a platform having a plurality or pockets tointercept a missile, such as a ball, some of the pockets cooperatingwith said board to register gains and other pockets cooperating withsaid board to register losses.

t is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved game apparatus including an indicator board having a pluralityof indicators to register the progress of the player, a platform havinga plurality of pockets with electric switches to intercept a missile,such as a ball, to actuate the switch associated with the pocket whichintercepted the ball, electric conductors connecting the poles of eachswitch with one or more oi said indicators either to excite an indicatoror to disconnect or extinguish one or more indicato-rs according to thepocket which intercepted the ball thereby to register gains when eX-citing indicators, or to register losses when disconnecting orextinguishing indicators.

These and other features, capabilities and advantages of the inventionwill appear from the subjoined detail description of one specificembodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, inwhich Fig. l is a perspective of one of a plurality of apparatus madeaccording to the present inven tion.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are parts of one and the same wiring diagramschematically showing the electrical connections of the apparatus, thedash and dot line I-I at the bottom of Fig. 3 coinciding with the dashand dot line 2 2 at the top of Fig. 4, and the dash and dot line 3-3 atthe bottom of Fig. 4 coinciding with the dash and dot line 4-4 at thetop of Fig. 5.

In the embodiment shown, see Fig. 1, there is illustrated one of theunits I of a plurality of similar units according to convention having atrough 2 mounted on suitable supports 3. In the trough 2 there isprovided a platform spaced at its front end 5 from the iront wall ti ofthe trough. Near the rear end of the platform il, there are provided aplurality of interceptors such as the pockets or openings l, in thepresent instance twentyve in number, arranged in ve rows of ve to a row,and so alined in accordance with the conventional Bingo board.

Immediately in front of the pockets .l there is provided an inclinedguide 8 to enable a ball or missile rolled or projected on the platform4 in front of the guide 3 and toward the pockets I to roll over theguide 8 and toward the pockets l. Adjacent to the ends of the guide 8,there are provided tlie two elongated openings 9 and I0 to receive theball should it have missed entirely any one of the pockets l, theplatform ll being inclined downwardly in a forward direction so that theball will normally roll forward toward the openings 9 and I after itstrajected momentum has been spent or after it has struck the rear endwall li and started on its return forward movement toward the guide 8.The guide 3 will intercept the ball at the end of its return movementand due to the inclined faces I2 and I3 of the guide 8 direct or guidethe ball toward the openings 9 and I0. Below the platform ll, there isprovided an inclined wall I4 having a mouth I5. The upper face of thefloorboard I6 is also inclined downwardly toward the front end so thatthe ball,A after dropping through a pocket "I, 9 or Ill and onto thefloorboard I6, will roll toward the inclined wall I4, and in turn thentoward the mouth I5. The balls, such as the ball il, in diameter arejust smaller than the mouth I5 to clear the same, but wide enough toactuate the arm I8 pivotally mounted at I9, controlling the double throwmicroswitch 2li. The microswitch 2li will be energized whenever the armI8 is engaged by a ball Il after having been intercepted either by apocket I, 9 or I0.

On the lower face of the platform 4 adjacent to each of the openings l,there is provided a microswitch 2l with its spring pressed projection 22extending into the path of movement 0i a ball intercepted by a pocket l,so that the ball will engage the projection 22 thereby to actuate themicroswitch 2|.

One of the games that can be played with apparatus made according to thevpresent invention would call for a single ball Il to each player. Insuch case, the player would continue to throw the ball Il until eitherhe or a competing player completed the winning count. The winning countwould call for illuminating each of the lamps 23, '24, 25, `26 and 2lwhich are mounted in the housing 28 in alinement with the translucentspots 29 in the panel 30. The spots 29 cooperating with the lamps 23 to21, inclusive, thus constitute one display area.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, if the winning playershould complete the 3 winning count within live throws of the ball l1,he would thereby not only illuminate the lamps 23, 24, 25, 26 and 21 inalinement with the translucent spots 29, but also the rst five lamps 3|,32, 33, 34 and 35 in alinement with the rst ve translucent spots 35 inthe panel 30 beginning from the left. The rst objective of the Winner,therefore, is to complete the winning count within the' five throws ofthe ball I1, at which time the lamp 31 in alinement with the translucentspot 38 in the panel 39 will not be illuminated, but the unit I of thewinning player will remain illuminated while the illumination of all ofthe other units, such as those connected to the conductors 39 and 48,will be extinguished.

If, however, the Winning player required six or more throws, then thedouble throw microswitch 28, as hereinafter set forth, will cause notonly the lamps 3i to 35, inclusive, to be illuminat'ed, but also thesixth lamp 31 in alinement with the translucent spot 3S. The translucentspots 36l and `38 and the lamps 3| to 35, inclusive, and 31 thusconstitute another display area.

The lamps 23 to 21, inclusive, will be illuminated whenever the ballpasses into pockets associated with such lamps. With the exception ofthe lamp 23, which is associated with pocket 4| alone, each of theremaining lamps 24 to 21, inclusive, is associated with more than onepocket, the lamp 24 being associated with the two pockets 42; the lamp25 being associated with the four pockets 43; the lamp 26 with the sixpockets v44; and the lamp 21 with the ten pockets 45. The two remainingpockets 44 are associated with the lamp 21 of the pockets 45. .Accordingto the present game, when the microswitch 2| of either of the pockets46, 45, is actuated by a ball being intercepted by either of thesepockets, then the lamp 21 will be extinguished. Not only the lamp 21will be extingruished when a ball is intercepted by either of thepockets 46, but in addition, any and al1 of the lamps 41 associated withthe pockets 45 will be* extinguished. The lamps 41 are disposed behindtranslucent spots 48 in the panel 30 in alinement with lampscorresponding in position to the position of the pockets 45 in theplatform 4. Each of the lamps -41 will correspond to one of the pockets45 and be illuminated as its corresponding pocket 45 intercepts a ball.It is conceivable that al1 of the pockets 45Y may intercept the ball,and consequently all of the lamps 41 may iinally be illuminated.

In the panel 39, the middle row of lamps which includes two end lampscorresponding to the two end pockets 42 of the platform 4, and a lamp inalinement with the centrally disposed translucent spot 48 correspondingto the pocket 4| of the platform 4 has, in addition, two blank spots oropaque spots 49, 49 with no lamps behind them corresponding in positionto the position of the pockets 46 on the platform 4. In other words,only twenty-three of the pockets in the platform 4 have correspondinglamps in the housing 28, the two pockets 45 not having correspondinglamps in the housing 28, `and ten of the lamps, to wit, the lamps 41corresponding to the ten pockets 45, are only conditionally illuminatedwhen a pocket 45 intercepts a ball, the condition being that before thee'nd of the game, the player does not cause the ball |1 to drop into apocket 46. In such latter case, then all of the previously illuminatedlamps 41, illuminated as a result of the pocket or pockets 45 havingintercepted the ball I1, will be extinguished and remain extinguisheduntil in the subsequent playing of the game if it endures beyond suchplay, the player of a particular unit again causes a ball to drop into apocket 45. The translucent spots 48 and opaque spots `49 thus cooperatewith the lamps 41 to constitute still another display area.

To take advantage of the wide spread knowledge of the terms used in thegame of baseball and the great interest in the game of baseball by theAmerican public, the different groups of pockets in the platform 4 arearbitrarily denominated by terms familiar to the baseball public.Furthermore, in view of the different values to certain of thesebaseball terms, either due to the diiculty or rarity of the achievementdenominated by such term, or due to the hazard accompanying theachievement, there is only one pocket, to wit, the pocket 4|, which isdesignated the home run pocket; there are two pockets, to wit, thepockets 42 which are designated the triple hit pockets; four pockets, towit, the pockets 43 which are designated the double or two base hitpockets; six pockets, to wit, the pockets 44 which are designated thesingle base hit pockets; and ten pockets, to wit, the pockets 45 whichare designated the walk or base on balls pockets. The two pockets 46 aredesignated the strike out pockets.

Furthermore, the lamp 23 in alinement with the translucent spot 29 inthe panel 30 over the initial H at the right hand end of the row oftranslucent spots 29 will be illuminated whenever the home run pocket 4|intercepts the ball 1. At the same time, the lamp 58 in the housing 28in alinement with the translucent spot 48 between the two blank oropaque spots 49 will also be illuminated. In turn when a ball isintercepted by a pocket 42, not only will the lamp 24 in alinement withthe translucent spot 29 above the letter T be illuminated, but also oneof the lamps 5| in the housing 28 in alinement with the translucent spot48 corresponding in position on the panel 30 to the position of thepocket 42 which intercepted the ball.

Furthermore, when a lball is intercepted Iby one of the four pockets 43,not only will the lamp 25 in alinement with the translucent spot 29above the letter D be illuminated, but also the lamp 52 in alinementwith the translucent spots 48 corresponding in position on the panel 38to the position of the pocket `43 in the platform 4.

Furthermore, whenever a ball is intercepted by a pocket 44, not onlywill the lamp 26 in alinement with the translucent spot 29 above theletter 5" be illuminated, but also the lamp 53 in alinement with thetranslucent spot 48 correspondingI in position on the panel 38 to theposition of the pocket 44 which intercepted the ball. Whenever any ofthe lamps 50, 5|, 52 or 53 is illuminated as a result of a correspondingpocket having intercepted the ball 1, such lamp will remain illuminateduntil the end of the game and not be temporary or in any way conditionalupon a subsequent play. The only lamps which are conditional upon asubsequent play are the lamps 21 and 41 as already explained. Finally,however, Whenever a ball is intercepted by a pocket 45, not only willthe lamp 21 in alinement with the translucent spot 29 above the letter Wbe illuminated, but one of the lamps 41 in alinement with thetranslucent spot 48, corresponding in position in the panel 30 to theposition of the pocket 45 which intercepted the ball will beilluminated, with this exception, however, as already stated, that theillumination of the lamps 2l and 41 is conditional upon a subsequentplay, that is, will be extinguished when the ball in a subsequent playis intercepted by either of the pockets 46, 46.

The first object of the play is, as aforesaid, to cause the ball I1 tobe intercepted in iive successive throws of the missile by the pocket 4|and one of the pockets of each of the groups 42, 43, 44 and 45, as aresult of which each of the lamps 23, 24, 25, 26 and 21 in alinementwith the spots 29 in the panel 39 will be illuminated. The secondobjective of the player is to have pockets intercept the ball so thatthese five lamps, to wit, 23, 24, 25, 26 and 21 will be illuminatedbefore any of the other players of the game causes such lamps to beilluminated, even though the number of throws by the player may exceedve. In case, however, that the player requires more than five throws,then not only the lamps 3|, 32, 33, 34 and 35, in alinement with thefirst live translucent spots 36 in the panel 30, will be illuminated,but also the lamp 31 in alinement with the sixth translucent spot 36 inthe panel 39, indicating to the other players that the player has notachieved his first objective but has achieved his second objective.

In addition to the aforesaid lamps, each unit I, and preferably on thetop of the housing 28, is provided with a lamp 54. This lamp 54, and allof the lamps 54 of the units I which enter the play, will be illuminatedat the beginning of the play and may for convenience be called themachine ready for play lamp. As will hereinafter be described, any ofthe units may conveniently be eliminated from the play before anyparticular game starts, in which case not only the lamp 54 will remainextinguished, but none of the other lamps in the housing 28 willfunction during the playing of this particular game.

For a particular game, as many as twenty-five units I may be connectedto be played together. The wiring diagram contained in Figs. 3, 4 and 5schematically showing the electric circuit used will now be described.

It is, of course, to be understood that Figs. 3, 4 and 5 are all partsof one and the same diagram, the wiring diagram being divided into thesethree parts for convenience of illustration only.

A manually actuated fused entrance switch 55 controls the entire circuitbeing connected to the two main leads 56 and 51. The two main leads 56and 51 may have connected thereto two conductors 58 and 59,respectively, connected to general illumination equipment to be on atall times when the entrance switch 55 is closed. The conductor 56 inturn is also connected to one of the main conductors 66 of the firstunit which will be described in detail, and the lead 51 connected to theother main conductor 6| of the first unit. The main leads 56 and 51 willalso be connected to similar main conductors of all of the other unitsof the machines that are intended to be connected for play in one game,the lead 56 being connected to the main conductor 39 and the lead 51being connected to the main conductor 49, the conductors 39 and 40 beingtypical of one or more additional units and connected to circuits thatare mere duplicates of the circuit of the rst unit which will now bedescribed in detail.

The first unit having the conductors 60 and 6| is provided with a switchsymbolized as 62 at the entrance of the same to permit eliminating thefirst unit if desired. This switch is also provided with a circuitbreaker 63 operatively associated with the switch 62 to open the switch62 in case of a short circuit or the like due to an over-load.

When all players are in position adjacent to their game apparatus suchas the unit I, the person in charge of the game, such as a master ofceremonies, will press the starting pushbutton 64 into closed positionto establish the current to the several units whose switches.. 62 havebeen previously closed. By closing the pushbutton 64, which opens assoon as released, a circuit is established from the main lead 51,through conductor 66, starting switch 64, normally closed stop switch|25, conductor 69, relay 12, conductor E8 to main lead 56. When therelay 12 is thus energized one of its switches 65 is closed therebyproviding a holding-in circuit after the switch 64 is released. With theclosing of switch 64 followed by the closing of switch 65, a circuit isalso established through the normally closed stop pushbutton switch |25,the normally closed relay operated switches 8|), 8| and 82, relay 1| andconductor 19 to the main lead 56. When the circuit is so establishedthrough the conductors 68 and 69 the two relays 1I and 12, respectively,will be energized, the holding-in switch 65 maintaining` the relays 1|and 12 energized after the pushbutton 64 is released. 'I'he relay 1Iwhen so energized closes the contacts 13 and 14 in the main .leads 56and 51 to the several machines. With the closing of these contacts, the"machine ready for play lamp 54 will be illuminated at each machine inwhich the switch 62 has been closed as a signal for the players of suchmachines or game apparatus to start the game. The relay 12 will alsoclose the contacts 15 and 16 in an auxiliary power line to the machineswhich is kept open at each machine by contacts 11 and 18 of a relay 19duplicated in each machine. In series with the main power line relay 1|there are the normally closed contacts 88, 8| and 82. In the presentinstance, only three contacts 89, 8| and 82 are illustrated to indicatethat three machines are hooked up in the present circuit. However, whenmore machines are hooked up there will be a closed contact such as thecontact for each machine, the closed contact 89 in the present instancesymbolizing the closed contact for the first unit. The closed contact 88is provided for the relay 63.

When the switch 62 is closed and momentary contact made by thepushbutton 64 as aforesaid, the circuit to the lamp 54 will beestablished from the lead 56 to the conductor 69, the conductors 84 and85 and from the lamp 54 by way of the conductors 86 and 81 to theconductor 6| and return lead 51.

As aforesaid, there is only one home run pocket, the pocket 4|. When theball I1 is intercepted by this pocket 4| it will momentarily close themicroswitch 2| associated with the pocket 4|, energizingI its relay 4|8,in turn closing three contacts, the holding-in contact 88 across themicroswitch 2|, the contact 89 closing the circuits to the lamps 59 and23 in alinement with translucent spots 48 and 29, respectively, in thepanel .39, and also the Contact 290, see Fig. 5, to the relay 19.

When the ball I1 is intercepted by one of the two triple pockets 42, 42,it will momentarily close the microswitch 2| associated with the pocket42, energizing the relay 426, associated with suoliV pocket'. 42;therebyf closing .four-fv con: tacks', eithenthecontact or thecontact'9;|:c0 n,. stituting a-holdin-g-in contact. across themicroswitcli-2fwhichhas been tripped, a second contact 9-2 orllightingufptthe-lampjl: correspond. ing in position to the pocket 42 whichhas-inter,.-l ceptedfy theA ball', a. third contact` 941 or. 9.51.V in aparallel circuit to the lamp 2:41toflightupzthe-same, and-afourthfcontact Safor. 9.1, see Fig; 5', to the relayf1=9;

When the ball.I l14 isV intercepted `by one of the four dou-blepocketsi43r, the microswitch 2|. en,-

gagediWi-ll energize the associated relay;43,0.,Which` willl closefourcontacts, aholding-in contact 98,

99, I100Lor llllil" constitutingI a holding-in contactacrossfthemicroswitch.. engaged, a second contact |021, |2031,` |04 or|:05. to lig-ht up the lampo 52: in,

the housing 28*y corresponding in position to thepocket' 43Whioh-hasintercepted the ball, a third Contact |06, |012; IBB-or- |09 tothe lamp2 5, andaL fourth Contact lili), H-l, |.I2 or H3 corresponding tothefpocket 43=to the relay 1.9,.

Tir-turn; if theballis interceptedby one ofthe sixesingleI pockets- 44,see Eig-i 4, the microswitch 2|'4 of the pocket engaged will energizeits asso-` ciated-relafy 440% in turn to close-one of the contacts Il-'4i'con-stitutingaholding-in contact for-the microswitch' engaged, asecond contactA 5 tolight theW lam-p 53 corresponding in position to.the

pocket 4f4fwhichfhasintercepted-the ball, a thirdv contact |-|6'4v forthe-lamp 26, and a fourth contac-t ||1 for the relay 19.

When the ball |1f interceptsy one. ofi the ten wallrpockets v45, themicroswitch 2| engagedwill energize the associated relay 450in this casetol ciose three contacts, to Wit, the holding-in con.V tactY l'llfo-rthe microswitch 2| eng-aged, a second4 contact M 0 to illuminatev thelamp 41 correspond-` ingin position to the pocket 45 whichhas-intercepted'vtheball, and a third contact |20! to light, lamp 2'1and close part of' the circuit to the relay In the case o f;l thecircuits for the Walk relays 4.!'i|1it` Wi'llbe noted that the conductor6| is con-y nectedby the conductor I2! having two normallyclosedcontacts |22- and |23 to t-he common conductor |24Which-throughthe microswitch- 21| orholding-in contact; H8l is,yconnected by a con-- ductor Hi8l to the relay 450 which in turn isconnectedto theconductor 60'. Thenormally closed Qontacts |22, |23', ifmomentarily opened, as now` to be explained', Will openthe circuit orcircuits tothe relays,450, in turn to open any previously closedcontact.H3, H9; and |20.

Themeans wherebyY the normallyy closed contact's |22-`or |23`r may beopened will now loe-de-Y scribed: These contacts willl be momentarilyopenedwvhenl the ball; l1 is intercepted byA eitherl ofthe strike outypockets 46, 46. When the-ball I1 is intercepted by either of the strikeout pocketsv 46,,s ee- Fig. 5, the` microswitch 2|' engaged willmomentarily, energize therelay 460 corresponding to, the pocket' 46which has intercepted the ball. Atthi's time nolamps correspondingjtothe-pockets 4|willbe illuminated., On the contrary, the relay-- 4,6;0corresponding, to. the pocket which, has receiyedftheballwill openeither the contact |22-or i231. There is no holdingfincontact. for themicroswitch 2;|". of' either ofthe relays 460 and conse,- quently assoon as the ballpasses the microswitch 2|,.the circuitto the relay. 460Awill be interrupted' in turnagain to allow the contact |22 or |23 tobefcloseol.'Y This.momentaryvv openingof either the limitata;` |22 or|.23 however,A as aforesaid Will interrupt the circuit' or circuits tothe relays 450:-

8?. ofthegwalk peeketsaandftherebyfopen anyfands: allot theacontactsf. iIB; 1.119 .and 1.20, previnuslyf closed;A The reelosng.howeyer, `ofithestrike.: outJ contacts; |2f2fV or; 1.2.3 when their function. is `cornepieten will .enable the; rc1-energizing, of.A thee Walle,

relays,4ilrwheneyer-theball; I;1 thereafterisinterr. ceptod by a Walkpocket 45.

Asiaforesaid; when; one;V or; more .ofeach.y group offrelaysA Hi, 42,0;430;,- 440. and;450 are energized, the parallel. seriesA circuitenergizes the. relayfl: inzturntoclose its contacts,A'llwoforthecontactsi closedbyz the relay lafare'the contacts 11; and` linthe auxiliary supply line tothe :machine-.andt-y thethitd contact,closed: bythe relaylawill vbe theH contactant; tothe relay 8.3, whichrelay 83.'.Wheni. energized. wiliopen; switch; 8.0;f to .de-energize therelay. 1|, thereby interrupting the main` power-1 suppiy line throughswitches13 and 14 tQ. all ofithe. machines, extinguishing the.` lamps`and de energizing; allnof.; the relaysi in all; of the machines except:the Winning machine which, obtains its. power `from the auxiliarysupplyflines .|8anda |2901;` through, .which acircuit was established;by lclosing the contacts. 11.. and. 181; byr the relayv 1.19 v'byf wayoi the main lead 515, conductor-65; contact` 1.6;` cone ductor |330; andcontactli't toieonductor:Standby@4 way ofl themain lead 56., oonductorl,contact 15J, conductor |183; and contact 1.8 to..conductor- 602 Tode-energize the Winning machinethe-personr. con-ducting thegarnewillrnow: push or: actuate the normally closed pushbutton; |25onthe maincon-r trolipanel'. Thereuponv subsequent closingfo the startpushbutton 641fwi'll' start a newv game.

The control means vforfillumina-ting the lamps.- .'iflftoa,A inclusive,and13f1; will nowi. be described; Byf reference to Figs. 2. andz5 it.willl appear that' whenever-'the ball; Ilfiis returnedlto theplayerI itIWililfactuate thesWitch arm: Ht` totripthe'doub-le throw; microswitch20: Reference will. now. bei. hadzniore particularlytozliig'. 5.1 Beforethe first ballisreturned, that is, before itiengagesthearm i0 to tripthe microswiteh: 20, the army |31 Willibeiin. engagement with thecontact |26. However, the circuitlthrough. relay.4 |21 is:.notcompleted:4 until; therst balilpasses: switch. 20for the rst counttoilluminate lam'p-I. Whenthe first ball passes: switch 20, arm I8 isswung tocontact |40 creatingaicircuit from conductor- 6| through thenormally closed: relay.Y operated'switch |10, arm |83 contactk |43;through relay I4l|s toconductorvii'.4 Relayl i4| has sixnormally opencontacts |42?, |43, |441, E45, llland |415; Contact |42-causesrelay|34r-to be-energized as well'- asla1np3|, saidrelay'havingthreecontacts, |48ito hold in its circuit, andfcon-L tacts |501 and |12 whichwill now remain closed; the-contact |.1-2Lcompletingf afcircuitfor-relayl |21lvv when arm iii/'returns to its biased-positiony againstVContact |26. Relay |21 has sixl normally.' openf contacts t28, |29;|30,I |31', |32Yand |33. Withtheenergization of the relay |34 andtheclosing of4 contact |2, relay- |`49 becomes^energized1 anditsfholdingcontact |56 will retain it in circuit and itssecond` contact |51Will continue closed'.

Withthe rolling of thel next ball', thex switch' arm` li'- will'A againenergize relay IMH` closingl its' contacts of which contact |43' willcompleten a' circuitftorelay |35to close' contactA |201 and-the secondcount lamp- 32. Relay' |35'. actuates its holding-dn contact |58 andalso contact |'5P so when' arm |84 returns tore-energize relay |21, afcircuit'vviill be completed'` to relay |63 closing its holding-incontact and contact |60, inthecircuit of number three count relay |36and lamp-33to closeconta-ct |30; preparing this-circuitV for the nextlorl third ball toberolled-I In like manner, as successively rolled ballsactuate switch arm I8 to energize rst relay |l|| and then relay |21, theremaining count relays |31, |33 and |39 and their respective lamps 34,35 and 31 will be brought into the closed circuit after the closing ofcontacts |3|, |32 and |33, respectively. In other Words, movement of arm|8 to energize relay 14| successively lights the lamps and the return ofarm I8 re-energizing relay |21 prepares the circuit for the next lamp.When the last count relay |39 is energized, its second Contact |55closes the circuit of relay |1| which is maintained closed by itsholding contact 261, while its other contact |10 is broken to makeinoperative switch I8 as further balls are rolled. Breaking of the mainsupply circuit by either the completion of the game by a winning boardor by the operator through stop switch |25 de-energizes all relays inreadiness for a new start.

The conductors 39 and 40 exemplifying parts -f of other unitsdiagrammatically include the relay 192 similar to the relay 19 of unitshown in Fig. 5, and also include a relay 832 similar in position to therelay 83 of unit illustrated in Fig. 5.

In the several views where the relays are not shown adjacent to thecontacts which they operate, the relays are diagrammatically shown infull lines as part of the wiring diagram, and repeated in dotted linesadjacent to the contacts i.

which they operate. As an instance, in the upper left corner of Fig. 3,the relay 12 is shown in full lines as part of the wiring diagram andagain illustrated in dotted lines adjacent to the contacts 65, 15 and16.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in thedetails of construction without departing from the general spirit of theinvention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A game comprising a target including a plurality of missileinterceptors, each adapted to retain only momentarily a missileintercepted thereby, and a plurality of electrically operated signallingdevices, each connected in an energizing circuit including a normallyopen switch and adapted to be completed by closing said switch, all butone of said energizing circuits including an additional normally openswitch connected in a parallel branch circuit so that the energizingcircuit can be completed by closing either switch, each of a number ofsaid interceptors equal to the total number of normally open switchesbeing provided with a normally open switch adapted to be closedmomentarily by a missile intercepted by the interceptor, each switchbeing connected in a circuit containing a relay means for closing acorresponding one of the switches in the energizing circuits and forcompleting a hold-in circuit which maintains energization of the relaymeans when the interceptor switch opens, each of the remaininginterceptors being provided with a normally closed switch adapted to beopened momentarily by an intercepted missile, the last mentionedswitches being connected in a series circuit forming a part of each ofthe interceptor circuits associated with one of the energizing circuitswhich includes a, plurality of switches.

2. A game comprising a target including a plurality of missileinterceptors, each adapted to retain only momentarily a missileintercepted thereby, and a plurality of electrically operated signallingdevices, each connected in an energizing circuit including a normallyopen switch and adapted to be completed by closing said switch, one ofsaid energizing circuits including an additional normally open switchconnected in a parallel branch circuit so that the energizing circuitcan be completed by closing either switch, each of a number of saidinterceptors equal to the total number of normally open switches beingprovided with a normally open switch adapted to be closed momentarily bya missile intercepted by the interceptor, each switch being connected ina circuit containing a relay means for closing a corresponding one ofthe switches in the energizing circuits and for completing a hold-incircuit which maintains energization of the relay means when theinterceptor switch opens, each of the remaining interceptors beingprovided with a normally closed switch adapted to be opened momentarilyby an intercepted missile, the last mentioned switches being connectedin a s-eries circuit forming a part of each of the interceptor circuitsassociated with the energizing circuit which includes a plurality ofswitches.

THEODORE B. STIILMZAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number `Name Date 1,906,260 Gibbs May 2, 19331,980,125 Whitney Nov. 6, 1934 2,008,479 Warner July 16, 1935 2,119,340Mills May 31, 1938 2,266,932 Williams Dec. 23, 1941

